WHO Recommends New Audio Safety Standards for Video Games

The guidelines aim to reduce hearing damage risks for young players, including tinnitus and high-frequency hearing loss.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced new standards for video game audio to prevent hearing damage, particularly in young players.
Studies show that gamers are twice as likely to suffer from high-frequency hearing loss and have a higher risk of developing tinnitus compared to non-gamers.
Over one billion young adults globally are at risk of hearing damage due to unsafe headphone use, according to a systematic review of studies.
The WHO recommends features like built-in volume warnings, sound dampening systems in headphones, and customizable in-game audio settings to mitigate risks.
Game developers and device manufacturers are urged to adopt these standards, which are part of the WHO's 'Make Listening Safe' initiative.